Condensate discarding device for air conditioner

ABSTRACT

A condensate discarding device for a refrigerator apparatus. The condensate is collected in a sump and is raised by a capillary device fixed to the sump to interset the air stream which flows toward the condenser unit. The air stream picks up the moisture and carries it through the condenser where it is discarded.

United States Patent Quiros 51 Mar. 28, 1972 [s41 CONDENSATE DISCARDINGDEVICE 2,268,846 1/1942 Roper ..62/28l FOR AIR CONDITIONER 3,058,31810/1962 Polovitch..... ....62/281 2,920,459 1/1960 Ladusaw ....62/281[72] inventor: Vincente Rodriguez Quiros, l 13 First 3,383,878 5/1968Booth ..62/281 Street, Jardinez del Caribe, Ponce, PR. 00731 PrimaryExaminer-William J. Wye

[ Filed: y 1.970 AttorneyJay M. Cantor [21] Appl. No.: 35,074 ABSTRACT Acondensate discarding device for a refrigerator apparatus.

The condensate is collected in a sump and is raised by a capil- [22] US.Cl ..62/2F7295, y device fixed to the p to interset he air stream whichI 1 flows toward the condenser unit. The air stream picks up the FleldofSearch 281 moisture carries it through the condenser where it isdiscarded. [56] References Cited 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,119,958 Ne\yil1 PATENTEDHAR 28 I972 mvmwon VICENTE R.QUIROS AGENT CONDENSATE DISCARDING DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONER Thisinvention relates to a refrigerator and more particularly to an airconditioner.

The operation of a refrigerating device such as a room air conditionergenerates a water condensate by the evaporator. The water accumulatesand unless removed will drip from the chassis of the unit and become anuisance. It is usual to provide a sump to collect the water and a drainpipe to conduct the water from the sump toa selected discharge locationor to agitate the water in the sump to form a vapor and discharge theair laden with the vapor through the condensor The provision of a drainpipe requires an extensive plumbing operation and produces an ugly view.The provision of an agitator introduces another element which must bebuilt into the apparatus and which is a source of trouble. It is anobject of this invention to eliminate the use of drain pipes andagitators.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a device for usewith an air conditioner which can be applied without modifying presentrefrigerator devices.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a device asaforesaid which is quiet in operation These and other objects of theinvention will become manifest upon reading the following description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 discloses thecapillary tube of this invention in an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the capillary tube.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the diametricallyopposite view.

In accordance with the invention a capillary tube is positioned in thepath of the incoming air stream. The water is drawn from the sump bycapillary action of a wick and is removed from the wick and dischargedthrough the condenser by the stream.

With reference to the drawing there is disclosed an air conditionercomprising an outer case 2 having a dividing wall 4 which divides thecase into an indoor compartment 6 and an outdoor compartment 8. Anevaporator 10 is positioned to face indoors and a condenser 12 ispositioned to face outdoors. The compressor and the connections to theevaporator and condenser are not illustrated since they form no part ofthe present invention. A motor 14 is mounted in the wall 4 and drivesfans 16 and 18 to move streams of air through the evaporator andcondenser. Water condenses out of the air stream flowing through theevaporator, drops into a tray 20 and is carried by a conduit 22 into asump 24. A tubular housing 26 is secured to the sump as by gluing withan apoxy resin. A wick W is supported by the housing and extends fromthe base to the upper end which is supported in the incoming air streamproduced by fan l8.

The housing is hollow and comprises a base 28 having an opening 30 foradmitting the condensate and an upper portion which is cut away to forma segment 32. Perforations 34 are formed in the segment and aligned withthe cut away portion to permit flow of air through the wick and segment.

The wick is formed of a folded tube of loose fibers or cellulose encasedin a plastic net 36 to provide against disintegration. When positionedin the housing the tube is folded to present the ends against the baseand the fold at the top of the housing.

The water is drawn into the length of the wick by capillary action. Inorder to provide for maximum capillarity, I soak the wick in ahydrophilic material sold under the trade name of Hydron.

In operation, the condensate which collects in the sump enters the tubethrough opening 30 and soaks the wick. The air stream created by fan 18passes through the wick and openings 34 and gathers up the moisture inthe wick. The moisture laden air stream is then passed through condenser12 where it is heated as is usual and discharged as a vapor.

While I have disclosed my invention with reference to a room airconditioner it is to be understood that it is useful in allrefrigerating units which create condensate. I also contemplate using aplurality of units when necessary.

claim:

1. In a room air conditioner including a housing having a compartmentfor an evaporating unit, a second compartment for the condenser, a fanwhich sucks in and circulates outside air through the condenser, andmeans for depositing condensate from the first compartment into thesecond compartment, the improvement comprising:

a hollow tubular member having means at its lower end for attachment tothe floor of the housing within the second compartment,

the tubular member having an opening through its wall adjacent saidlower end thereof through which the condensate in the second compartmentcan enter,

the upper end of the tubular member lying in a plane making an angleother than with its axis to provide an enlarged opening,

a plurality of smaller openings in the wall opposite the enlargedopening of the tubular member,

and a capillary wick within the tubular member extending the entirelength thereof,

the enlarged opening of the tubular member with the wick therein facingthe incoming outside air.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the wick comprises a tube ofcellulose fibers, and a plastic net surrounding the cellulose fibers.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 further including a covering of ahydrophilic material on the fibers.

1. In a room air conditioner including a housing having a compartmentfor an evaporating unit, a second compartment for the condenser, a fanwhich sucks in and circulates outside air through the condenser, andmeans for depositing condensate from the first compartment into thesecond compartment, the improvement comprising: a hollow tubular memberhaving means at its lower end for attachement to the floor of thehousing within the second compartment, the tubular member having anopening through its wall adjacent said lower end thereof through whichthe condensate in the second compartment can enter, the upper end of thetubular member lying in a plane making an angle other than 90* with itsaxis to provide an enlarged opening, a plurality of smaller openings inthe wall opposite the enlarged opening of the tubular member, and acapillary wick within the tubular member extending the entire lengththereof, the enlarged opening of the tubular member with the wicktherein facing the incoming outside air.
 2. A device as defined in claim1 wherein the wick comprises a tube of cellulose fibers, and a plasticnet surrounding the cellulose fibers.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2further including a covering of a hydrophilic material on the fibers.